Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

755. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the increase to the health budget needed in 2017 to take into account the changing demographics and the rising costs in health care. [27477/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The gross current estimate for the Department of Health for 2016 is €13.695 billion, an increase of €1.4 billion on the published revised estimate for 2015. This includes an additional sum of €500m which was approved by the Government in July, in recognition of the significant challenges facing the health sector against a backdrop of growing needs. This additional funding will allow for achievable targets to be set, and it is anticipated that the Health Service will achieve budget compliance - without resort to a Supplementary Estimate - for the first time in a number of years. That said, it is essential that we continue to focus on cost containment, productivity and efficiencies as there continues to be major cost pressures on the health service including an increased and ageing population, an increase in chronic conditions, and new and expensive medicines and technologies.

The level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2017 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.